CN107078409B

CN107078409B - Connector for connecting two electrical conductors

Info

Publication number: CN107078409B
Application number: CN201580057536.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: M.埃克尔; W.格里沃克; U.豪克
Original assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
Current assignee: TE Connectivity Germany GmbH
Priority date: 2014-10-21
Filing date: 2015-10-21
Publication date: 2020-04-28
Anticipated expiration: 2035-10-21
Also published as: EP3210260B1; EP3210260A1; WO2016062736A1; JP6537604B2; US10476180B2; DE102014221347A1; CN107078409A; JP2017531906A; WO2016062476A2; US20170229789A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for the connection of two electrical conductors, in particular for the connection of a cable lug and/or a conductor rail. In order to provide an arrangement which can improve the safety against electric shocks for the person operating the arrangement and in the case of which the two conductors can be smoothly connected to and/or disconnected from each other, the invention provides an arrangement for connecting a first electrical conductor (9) to a second electrical conductor (13), having a pressing adapter (3) with a receptacle (7) for the first conductor (9) and at least one pressing element (29) which can be actuated from the outside, and having a contact prevention device (5) of the housing type with a receptacle (11) for the second conductor (13), wherein the contact prevention device (5) can be pushed in a push-in direction (E) into a chamber (19) of the pressing adapter (3) and has at least one contact groove (67), at least one contact groove runs parallel to the push-in direction (E) and releases an inner part (69) of the contact prevention device (5) for establishing contact with the outside.

Description

Connector for connecting two electrical conductors

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a connector for connecting a first electrical conductor to a second electrical conductor. In particular, the invention relates to a connector for connecting two electrical conductors, wherein at least one electrical conductor is a conductor rail or a cable tab.

Background

Connectors for connecting electrical conductors are known. The two conductors are usually connected to each other by plugging together. However, in the high voltage and/or current range, plug connections are often impractical, since solid conductors are usually used, by means of which the plug connector can only be produced insufficiently well. In particular, a threaded connection is used to connect at least one conductor rail or cable tab to a different conductor. For example, a cable tab having an opening for a bolt can be threaded to the conductor rail or the second cable tab. In this case either the bolt protrudes through the cable lug and is screwed into a press-in nut in the conductor rail, or the bolt protrudes through both parts and is provided with a nut such that the conductor rail and the cable lug are crimped between the bolt head and the nut.

A similar connection is used if two conductor rails or two cable tabs are connected to each other. This connection method is complex and has many disadvantages. For example, the bolt and/or nut may be lost during the connection or disconnection of the conductors. A further known problem may be the case where the bolt cannot be completely unscrewed from both conductors. In this case it may happen that once the bolt reaches the end of maximum travel, it penetrates completely one of the two conductors and at the same time remains arranged partially in the other conductor. This makes it more difficult or even impossible to disconnect the two conductors from each other. A further known disadvantage is that at least one of the two conductors is usually only insufficiently protected or not protected at all from contact and thus the safety of the person handling at least one of the conductors may be jeopardized.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a connector for connecting a first electrical conductor to a second electrical conductor, by means of which connector two conductors can be repeatedly smoothly connected to or disconnected from each other, and in which the risk of electric shocks is reduced compared to known connecting connectors.

Disclosure of Invention

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a connector for connecting a first electrical conductor to a second electrical conductor, having a press-on adaptor with a receptacle for the first conductor and at least one press-on element which can be actuated from the outside, and having a housing-type contact prevention device with a receptacle for the second conductor, wherein the contact prevention device can be pushed into a chamber of the press-on adaptor in a push-in direction and has at least one contact groove which runs parallel to the push-in direction and opens into a passage in the interior of the contact prevention device for establishing contact towards the outside.

The solution according to the invention achieves this object in a particularly advantageous manner. The contact preventing means is capable of effectively preventing a person or other component from inadvertently contacting the second conductor received in the contact preventing means. The contact slot can open a passage towards the outside for the received second conductor, so that this received second conductor can be connected to the first conductor. The first and second conductors can be pressed against each other in the pressing adapter by means of a pressing element, which can be actuated from the outside, so that an electrical connection can be established between the two conductors. A direct screw connection of the two conductors to one another can thus be omitted, which is why the two conductors can be repeatedly successfully connected to one another or disconnected from one another (tapped). The contact groove can open a passage into the interior of the contact prevention device, in particular towards the receiving portion for the first conductor, if the contact prevention device is received in the chamber. The contact of the two conductors thus takes place in the region of the contact slot. The at least one contact groove can run in the direction of its longitudinal extent parallel to the insertion direction or even extend in the depth direction.

The solution according to the invention can be further improved by a plurality of configurations which are in each case advantageous on their own and can be combined with one another as required. These configurations and the advantages associated therewith are discussed in detail below.

According to a first advantageous configuration, the pressing element can be configured for an individually actuatable, frictionally engaged connection of a first conductor arranged in the pressing adapter and a second conductor received in the contact prevention means. The two conductors can thus be held against each other in the press adapter by frictionally engaging the connection. At the same time, they are connected to one another in an electrically conductive manner via a frictionally engaged connection. The pressing elements can be actuated independently of the introduction of the conductor into the pressing adapter. For example, the contact preventing means as well as the second conductor may initially be pushed into the pressing adapter, and subsequently the pressing element may be actuated. A particularly good connection between the first and second conductor can be obtained, wherein a normal force acting perpendicular to the insertion direction can be established between the first and second conductor by means of the pressing element. It is particularly advantageous if the direction of the longitudinal extent of the at least one contact groove runs parallel to the push-in direction.

The pressing element may be arranged above the at least one contact groove when the contact preventing means is pushed in. Thus, the pressing element may press the first conductor in a direction of contacting the slot. The receptacle for the first conductor is preferably arranged between the at least one contact groove and the pressing element. The effective direction of the pressing element can be guided towards the contact groove. In this way, if the longitudinal length of the at least one contact slot runs parallel to the push-in direction, a normal force perpendicular to the push-in direction can be formed between the first and second conductors.

To prevent the pressing element from being lost, the pressing element can be captively held on the pressing adapter. In particular, the pressing element can be movably held on the pressing adapter such that it can be actuated effectively in addition to its captive arrangement.

A pressing element with a particularly simple structure can be obtained, wherein the pressing element is formed as a bolt. The bolt is arranged such that the longitudinal axis of the bolt is arranged perpendicular to the push-in direction. Alternatively, in particular if the depth direction of the at least one contact groove runs parallel to the insertion direction, the longitudinal bolt axis can also be arranged parallel to the insertion direction. The bolt can be guided, for example, by a thread which is formed directly on the pressing adapter, or by a separate nut which can be held in the pressing adapter. Alternatively, the mating thread for the bolt may be formed in a connector that may be fastened to the second conductor.

The loss of the bolt can be prevented, wherein the bolt is movable in a direction against the effective direction only as far as the position defined by the stop element. In this case, the position may be determined such that the bolt can completely release at least one of the conductors so that the conductors can be easily separated from each other. At least in one advantageous embodiment, the connection of the two conductors to one another or the attachment of the two conductors can be realized particularly easily, since the pressing element or the bolt is not directly screwed to one of the conductors or does not penetrate through the conductors. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the bolt is guided through one of the two conductors in a previous installation. The connector may be configured such that, at least in the case of connecting two conductors to each other, the step of passing a bolt through at least one of the two conductors may be omitted. In this way, although the two conductors are held to each other by the threaded connection, the known problems described above from the prior art steps may no longer arise.

According to a further advantageous configuration, it is no longer possible to have a movable force distribution element on which the pressing element can act. The force distribution element can distribute the normal force generated by the pressing element over a larger surface, so that the surface pressure of the pressing element on one of the two conductors can be reduced.

The force distribution element can be captively held on the pressing element. For example, the force distribution element may be connected to the pressing element via a ball joint. The pressing element may also penetrate through the force distribution element at least one point to achieve capture retention. If the force distribution element is to act on at least one conductor by pressing, the conductor may have a recess in the area of the force distribution element acting on the pressing element to open up a space for the pressing element to penetrate through the portion of the force distribution element.

In order to improve the safety when actuating the at least one pressing element, the at least one pressing element may have an actuating portion for the actuation of the pressing element, which actuating portion is electrically insulated from the rest of the pressing element. If the pressing element is formed, for example, by a bolt, the actuating portion, which is electrically insulated from the rest of the pressing element, can be formed by an insulating cap on the bolt head.

According to a further advantageous configuration, the connector can have a housing which is electrically insulated at least from the pressing adapter, wherein the actuating portion of the at least one pressing element is accessible from the outside. In particular, the housing also protects the conductors arranged in the press adapter from external contact. The housing may have an opening toward the operation side, which opens a passage from the chamber for the contact preventing device toward the outside. To prevent inadvertent penetration of a finger or tool into the opening, the opening may be surrounded by a protruding collar.

In addition to the electrically insulating housing, the connector may have a shield surrounding the connector to electromagnetically shield the component towards the outside. Furthermore, the connector may have or be connected to a security system. The safety system may be formed by, for example, a high voltage interlock system (HVIL). Thus, it can be ensured that the connector no longer conducts current before the actuation of the pressing element or the operation of the at least one conductor in the pressing adapter is performed.

The contact prevention means may be closed at a front end portion directed in the push-in direction. This can further improve safety. This configuration can be particularly advantageous if the contact groove runs such that its longitudinal axis is parallel to the push-in direction. However, if the contact groove runs such that the depth direction is parallel to the push-in direction, the fixed encapsulation can prevent or avoid a connection of the two conductors to one another. However, if the contact groove can be elastically closed, so that: in the non-connected state, penetration of fingers, objects or dirt is prevented. However, when the two conductors are connected to each other, the elastic envelope can be deflected, whereby the contact slot is opened for connection to the first conductor.

In order to obtain as large a contact surface as possible and to facilitate pushing the contact preventing means into the pressing adapter, the at least one contact groove may extend continuously as far as the front end of the contact preventing means. The at least one contact groove may simultaneously serve as a guide for guiding the contact preventing means in a linear manner into the pressing adapter. This can be applied both to the case where the longitudinal direction of the contact groove extends parallel to the push-in direction and to the case where the depth direction of the contact groove extends parallel to the push-in direction.

The at least one contact slot is preferably configured such that a finger cannot reach the interior of the contact preventing means. The at least one contact slot is preferably configured such that a standardized test finger (VDE test finger) is not able to contact a conductor received in the contact prevention device. The at least one contact groove preferably has a groove width of more than 2mm, preferably a groove width of about 3mm to 4mm, particularly preferably a groove width of about 3.5 mm. In the case where the longitudinal direction of the contact groove extends parallel to the push-in direction, the wall thickness of the contact prevention means adjacent to the contact groove is preferably about 1.5mm to 2.5 mm. The wall thickness depends on the groove width. A larger groove width requires a larger wall thickness to prevent the finger from penetrating into the contact groove until the inside of the contact prevention means. In order to ensure effective protection against contact with a groove width of about 3.5mm, the wall thickness of the contact prevention means is preferably at least 2 mm. The ratio of the groove width to the wall thickness is preferably 1.75.

In order to provide a sufficient contact surface given the width of the second conductor while at the same time ensuring an effective contact prevention means, the contact groove is preferably narrower than one third of the inner width of the contact prevention means in the case of a running of the longitudinal direction of the contact groove parallel to the push-in direction. The inner width of the contact preventing means is preferably about the width of the conductor to be received in the contact preventing means. If the contact prevention device has a single contact groove on one side, the contact groove is preferably arranged centrally on the contact prevention device, i.e. with the same spacing as the two sides of the contact prevention device.

According to a further advantageous configuration, the connector comprises a first conductor received in the receiving portion of the pressing adapter and a second conductor received in the receiving portion of the contact prevention device, wherein the first conductor is formed by a conductor rail at least in an end portion arranged in the receiving portion and the second conductor is formed by a cable tab at least in an end portion arranged in the contact prevention device or vice versa. The connector according to the invention can thus be used particularly advantageously for connecting a cable lug to a conductor rail. The pressing adapter can equally be arranged on the side of the conductor rail or on the side of the cable lug. The further conductor in each case can thus be arranged in the contact-preventing means and can be pushed into the pressing adapter. The end portions of the first and second conductors may also be formed by cable tabs or by conductor rails.

The end portions of the first and second conductors may have planar flat bodies with their flat sides arranged perpendicular to each other when the conductors are received in the pressing adapter. It is particularly advantageous if one of the conductors is arranged vertically and centrally with respect to the second conductor. It is particularly advantageous if the first conductor is arranged vertically, but centrally vertically, above the contact prevention means and can be pressed into the at least one contact groove by means of a pressing element. The two conductors in the pressing adapter can thus be pressed together particularly easily and at the same time effectively against one another. The at least one pressing element is then engaged on a narrow side of an end portion of the first conductor opposite the second conductor, the end portion being formed as a flat body. In order to reduce the surface pressure on the narrow side of the end portion of the first conductor, a movable force distribution element may be arranged between the at least one pressing element and the first conductor. It is particularly advantageous if the first conductor is a conductor rail. The conductor rail is usually formed of an alloy containing a large amount of copper and is thus easily deformed. The movable force distribution element can thus prevent damage to the conductor rail by the pressing element.

According to a further advantageous configuration, the at least one contact element connected to the first conductor can be held in frictional engagement on the second conductor in the at least one contact groove by the pressing element when the contact-preventing means is pushed into the chamber. The at least one contact element preferably establishes an electrical connection between the first and second conductors. In a particularly simple arrangement, the at least one contact element may be integrally formed with the end portion of the first conductor, or may be connected to the first conductor by a suitable connection technique (such as, for example, pressing, welding, or screwing).

The at least one contact element may be formed by at least one edge running parallel to the push-in direction in the end portion of the first conductor. Thereby, a particularly advantageous electrical contact can be achieved, since the two conductors can be directly connected to each other. In particular in the case of conductors arranged perpendicular to each other, the edge of the first conductor may represent a contact element and may be pressed into a contact groove in the contact-preventing device and onto the second conductor. At least one edge running parallel to the push-in direction has a flat portion running substantially straight. For example, the edge may be formed by a narrow side of the flat body. Thereby, a particularly large contact surface between the two conductors can be obtained.

According to an alternative to the configuration of the contact element as an edge of the end portion, the at least one contact element may also be formed as a contact rib protruding from the first conductor. The first conductor can thus be pressed in the direction of the second conductor, so that the contact rib is pressed onto the second conductor by the contact groove. However, as already described, the contact element may also be formed as a part connected to the first conductor.

The at least one contact element may also be formed as a rib on the at least one force distribution element, wherein the force distribution element is conductively connected to the first conductor.

The contact prevention device may have at least one support groove arranged on a side of the contact prevention device opposite the pressing element. The pressing element may have at least one support rib formed in a complementary manner to the support groove. The at least one supporting rib can then support the second conductor in its pressed state and hold it in positive engagement at least in the effective direction of the at least one pressing element. The at least one support rib and the at least one support groove may then be used to guide the contact preventing means during pushing the contact preventing means into the pressing adapter. In the pressed state, the at least one support rib can be held on the second conductor in a frictionally engaging manner by the at least one support groove. If the at least one support rib is electrically connected to the first conductor, an electrical contact is also made between the first and second conductors via the at least one support rib. In this case, the support rib is simultaneously another contact groove. In this case, the at least one support rib represents a contact element which is held in frictional engagement in the contact groove on the second conductor.

According to a further advantageous configuration, the first conductor can have an end portion which has a U-shaped profile in a cross section transverse to the insertion direction, and wherein a limb (limbs) of the U-shaped profile can be pressed against the second conductor by the pressing element via the at least two contact grooves. The branches of the U-shaped profile thus represent two contact elements. Due to this variant, a more compact design is achieved compared to the arrangement of two platform bodies perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, the contacting of the two conductors takes place at least two locations, so that a particularly good electrical contact is formed between the two conductors. The branch portion may be formed such that the branch portion is perpendicular to the surface of the second conductor at least in a region of the joint portion of the first conductor and the second conductor. In this case, the second conductor is preferably formed by the platform body at least in the end portion.

As already mentioned above, a further advantageous configuration of the connector according to the invention has at least one contact groove, the depth direction of which runs parallel to the push-in direction. This configuration is described in detail below. This advantageous embodiment preferably has an electrically conductive connection which can be fastened to the second conductor and which is surrounded at least in some areas by an outer wall of the housing-type contact prevention device. The connecting piece has a receptacle for the pressing element, which receptacle is formed complementary to the pressing element, wherein the pressing element can be inserted into the receptacle parallel to the push-in direction, and wherein the contact groove runs at least in some regions around the receptacle for the pressing element. The connector may lengthen the second conductor so that the second conductor in the form of the connector may be received in a receiving portion for the second conductor in the housing-type contact preventing device.

The conductive connection may be fixedly connected to the second conductor before the two conductors are connected to each other or during pre-assembly. The connection may be connected to the second conductor, in particular by welding, screwing or pressure connection (pressing). In this case, the second conductor can be, in particular, a conductor rail. The connector is advantageous to contact the second conductor at any point. The contact is thus established not limited to at the end portion of the second conductor.

The longitudinal axis of the connecting piece preferably runs parallel to the push-in direction. The receptacle may be formed centrally in the connecting piece, so that the connecting piece is coaxial with the receptacle at least in some regions. The connecting piece may have a cylindrical outer surface which runs coaxially with the receiving portion. In particular, the connecting element may have the form of a screw. However, other forms are also conceivable. For example, the connecting element can also have a rectangular or square cross section. It is particularly advantageous if the connecting piece has an overall circular cross section, but deviates from the circular cross section at least one point. For example, the connector may be flat on one side. Due to the deviation from this circular cross section, a protection against a mismatch can be achieved. Thereby, the press adapter and thereby the first conductor can only be connected to the connection piece in one or a limited number of a plurality of defined alignments.

The connecting piece may have at least one undercut (undercut) on its outer side, into which at least one projection of the inner side of the outer wall of the contact preventing means can engage, in order to hold the outer wall of the contact preventing means reliably and captively on the connecting piece. At least one sealing element may additionally be provided between the connection piece and the inner side of the outer wall of the contact prevention means. To this end, the connecting piece may have, for example, on its outer side, a circumferential groove into which a seal, such as a sealing ring, may be inserted.

The receptacle for the pressing element can, for example, have an internal thread, to which the pressing element formed as a bolt can be screwed. Alternatively, the receiving portion may have a latching element, for example an undercut into which a pressing element may engage to connect the second conductor to the first conductor. The receiving portion is preferably formed as a blind hole. Thereby, penetration of the pressing element by the connecting piece or by the second conductor can be avoided. In order to disconnect the two conductors, it may thus be sufficient to remove the pressing element from the receiving portion. The two conductors can thus be separated from each other in a direction opposite to the push-in direction.

The contact groove may be formed in some regions or integrally as an annular groove. The annular groove may be shaped circular. However, other shapes are possible, such as oval or rectangular.

The contact groove can be delimited from a receptacle for the pressing element by a sleeve which can be inserted into the connecting piece and can be penetrated parallel to the push-in direction by the pressing element. The sleeve is preferably made entirely of an electrically insulating material and may form a housing-type contact prevention device together with an outer wall of the contact prevention device. The sleeve can be inserted into the receptacle in the region of the open end of the receptacle and projects beyond the connecting piece in the insertion direction. The internal thread for the pressing element can be joined to the sleeve in the receiving section in other directions or towards the interior of the connection piece. For example, the sleeve may be pressed or glued into the receiving portion. A further advantageous type of fastening can be realized in which the receptacle in the connecting piece has at least one undercut into which at least one latching projection of the sleeve can engage, so that the sleeve is captively held on the connecting piece.

The outer wall and the sleeve project in the insertion direction, preferably beyond the end of the connecting piece pointing in the insertion direction. The height at which at least one of the two parts protrudes beyond the connection piece determines the depth of the contact groove. The contact groove is preferably deep enough for forming an effective contact prevention means, i.e. the finger of a human hand or a VDE test finger cannot pass the contact groove as far as the connection element. Thereby, an unintentional contact with a connector piece, which is connected in an electrically conductive manner to the conductor rail in the mounted state, can be effectively prevented.

A guide slot running concentrically around the connector and configured to receive the housing part of the pressing adapter may be arranged between the connector and an outer wall of the housing-type contact preventing means. The press adapter and the first conductor arranged therein can advantageously be guided through the guide slot for connection to the second conductor. Furthermore, at least in the connected state, the interior of the connector can be closed or sealed towards the outside.

In the connected state, both the housing portion of the pressing adapter and the outer wall of the contact preventing means preferably extend around the connecting portion and around a pressing element arranged in a receiving portion in the connecting portion.

At least one sealing element may be provided to seal the interior of the connector particularly effectively. For example, the connection may have a circumferential groove into which a seal, such as a sealing ring, may be inserted. In the connected state, the sealing element may then be pushed against the inner wall of the housing part of the pressing adapter. Alternatively or additionally, a sealing element can also be arranged on the inner wall of the housing part. It is also possible that in the connected state at least one sealing element is arranged between the inner side of the outer wall of the contact-preventing means and the outer side of the housing part of the pressing adapter.

In order to simplify the mounting or connection between the two conductors, the housing part of the pressure adapter and/or the outer wall of the contact prevention device may have latching elements. During installation, the two components are initially connected to each other such that the latch elements engage each other. Thereby, in the pre-assembled position, the two components are held against each other. The pressing element can then be actuated such that the two conductors are connected to each other. For example, the latching element may be formed by a latching hook on one of the two parts and a corresponding mating latching hook or recess on the other part.

The connector may have a contact element which can be connected to the first conductor and which can be configured in a complementary manner to the contact groove and which can be pressed against the connecting piece by means of a pressing element through the contact groove. In the case of this configuration, the first and second conductors are thereby indirectly connected to each other. The first conductor is connected to the contact element and the second conductor is connected to the connector. For the electrical connection between the two conductors, the contact element is pressed against the connecting piece by the contact groove.

The connection piece may be sleeve-shaped and penetrable by the pressing element in a direction parallel to the pushing-in direction. In this way, a uniform pressing force can be generated by the pressing element on the contact element. The contact element can be connected to the first conductor in a frictionally and/or positively engaging manner. For example, the first conductor may have an opening into which the contact element may be pressed. Alternatively, the contact element may for example also be soldered to the first conductor. Another alternative may be to screw the contact element to the first conductor. For this purpose, the contact element may have an external thread which can be screwed into an internal thread in the first conductor, which internal thread is formed in a complementary manner to the external thread.

Another alternative is not to fixedly connect the contact element to the first conductor but to captively hold it in the pressing element, wherein a reliable connection to the first conductor is only formed when the pressing element presses the first conductor and the contact element against one another.

The pressing element may be electrically insulated at an end directed towards the second conductor. Thereby improving safety during operation. In particular, the housing portion of the pressing adapter and the electrically insulating end of the pressing element may form a further contact prevention means, wherein a finger may be prevented from reaching the interior of the pressing adapter and thereby from being able to touch the contact element and/or the electrically conductive portion of the pressing element. Due to the combination with the contact preventing means for the second conductor, the connector may thus have protection against contact on both sides.

The pressing element may have an actuating portion for actuation of the pressing element, which is insulated from the rest of the pressing element. The actuating portion can be formed such that, at least in the connected state of the two conductors, it bears against the interior of the housing of the pressing adapter. The actuating portion can be guided through the housing parallel to the push-in direction. At least one sealing element may be arranged between the actuation portion and the housing. To this end, the actuating part and/or the housing may have a circumferential groove into which the sealing element may be inserted. Preferably, the actuating portion cannot be guided completely out of the housing. Thereby, it can be ensured that the electrically conductive part of the pressing element cannot be guided out of the pressing adapter or out of the housing, so that inadvertent contact with the electrically conductive part can be prevented. For this purpose, the housing and/or the actuating element can have stop elements, such as latching projections and/or latching recesses, which engage into one another, so that guiding the actuating element out of the housing can be effectively prevented.

The actuating portion is preferably fixedly connected to the rest of the pressing element, so that the pressing element can be guided in the housing by the actuating element. Since the pressing element has a shape which extends in an elongated fashion parallel to the push-in direction, tilting of the pressing element out of alignment parallel to the push-in direction can be prevented by a fixed connection to the actuating portion, in particular if it is formed by a bolt. The fixed connection between the pressing element and the actuating section, as well as the guidance of the actuating section in the housing parallel to the insertion direction, can thus additionally contribute to an improved safety.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail on the basis of advantageous embodiments by means of examples and with reference to the drawings. The combination of features indicated by way of example in the case of embodiments can be supplemented accordingly in accordance with the above description by further features for specific applications. Individual features in the case of the described embodiments, as described in accordance with the above, may also be omitted if the function of the feature is not essential in the respective application.

Drawings

In the drawings, the same reference numerals are always used for elements having the same function and/or the same structure.

In the drawings:

fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a connector according to the invention in a pushed-together state, without a housing;

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section through the first embodiment, with a housing;

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section through the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment with a housing;

FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the components of the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the second embodiment in a state not pushed together;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the second embodiment in a pushed together state, cut away to expose a cross-section of the second embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the second embodiment in a pushed together state, cut away to expose a longitudinal section through the second embodiment;

FIG. 9 shows an exploded view of the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the third embodiment in a state not pushed together, without the housing;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the third embodiment in a pushed together state, cut away to expose a cross-section of the third embodiment;

fig. 12 shows a perspective view of the third embodiment in a state not pushed together, cut open in the pushing-in direction;

FIG. 13 shows an exploded view of the third embodiment;

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the fourth embodiment in a state not pushed together, cut away to expose a cross-section of the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the fourth embodiment in a pre-assembly position;

fig. 16 shows a perspective view of the fourth embodiment in a connected state.

Detailed Description

A first advantageous embodiment of the connector according to the invention is described with reference to fig. 1-5. Fig. 5 shows the components of the described embodiment shown separately in an exploded manner.

The connector 1 has a pressing adapter 3 and a contact preventing means 5. The pressing adapter 3 has a receptacle 7 for a first conductor 9, and the contact prevention device 5 has a receptacle 11 for a second conductor 13. By way of example only, the first conductor 9 is shown as conductor rail 15 and the second conductor 13 is shown as cable tab 17. Alternatively, the first conductor 9 can also be formed by the cable lug 17 and the second conductor 13 can also be formed by the conductor rail 15. Both

conductors

9 and 13 may also be formed by conductor rails 15 or cable tabs 17.

The pressing adapter 3 has a chamber 19, into which chamber 19 the contact-preventing means 5 can be pushed in the pushing-in direction E. The cavity 19 is open towards the receiving portion 7 for the first conductor 9, so that the first conductor 9 can at least partially protrude into the cavity 19. At the side 21 opposite the receiving portion 7, the pressing adapter 3 has two support ribs 23 projecting into the cavity 19. The support ribs 23 extend in an elongated shape parallel to the pushing-in direction E. The two support ribs are preferably formed integrally with the body 25 of the pressing adapter 3. The body 25 of the pressing adapter 3 is preferably formed as a casting. The body 25 is thus preferably formed of an electrically conductive material.

The receiving portion 7 for the first conductor 9 is delimited by two holding jaws 27, which may be formed integrally with the body 25. The holding jaw 27 can guide the first conductor 9 during insertion of the first conductor 9 into the pressing adapter 3 and hold it in a desired position. The holding jaw 27 preferably delimits the chamber 19 for the contact prevention means 5 in the direction of the receiving portion 7. The chamber 19 and the receptacle 7 have a substantially elongate form in a cross section transverse to the insertion direction E (fig. 2), and the chamber 19 and the receptacle 7 are arranged perpendicular to one another. The cavity 19 opens centrally towards the receiving portion 7 at a level between the two support ribs 23. The elongated shape of the receiving portion 7 extends parallel to the effective direction W of the pressing element 29. The pressing element 29 is configured to connect the first conductor 9 to the second conductor 13 in a frictionally engaged manner.

The pressing element 29 may be formed as a bolt 31. The bolt 31 is guided by an internal thread 33 in the body 25 of the pressing adapter 3. Alternatively, the pressing adapter 3 may also have a nut which is connected to the body 25 for guidance of the bolt 31. Rotating the bolt 31 about the bolt longitudinal axis L causes the bolt 31 to move along or against the effective direction W. The bolt 31 has a bolt head 35, which is directed against the effective direction W and serves as an actuating portion 41. The bolt head 35 preferably has a bolt head diameter 37 that is greater than the bolt diameter 39. Thus, the bolt 31 cannot be fully countersunk in the internal thread 33. The body 25 then forms a stop for the bolt head 35 in the effective direction W. The bolt head 35 represents an actuating portion 41 of the pressing element 29. The actuating portion 41 need not necessarily be formed as a bolt head 35. For example, if the bolt 31 is embodied as a countersunk bolt, the actuating section 41 may be formed at the end of the bolt 31 opposite the effective direction W without exceeding the bolt diameter 39. For example, the activation portion 41 may be formed as a hexagonal socket.

In order to electrically insulate the pressing element 29 from the outside of the pressing adapter 3, the pressing element 29 has an electrically insulated actuating portion 43, which is preferably formed by an insulating cap 45. The insulating cap 45 may have the shape of a bolt head to be actuated by a correspondingly configured tool. The insulating cap 45 is preferably formed of plastic.

The connector 1 may have at least one housing 47, which is insulated from the pressing adapter 3. The housing 47 may have an opening 49 through which the electrically insulating actuating portion 43 of the pressing element 29 can protrude to the outside. The opening 49 is preferably smaller than the stop element 51 of the electrically insulating actuating portion 43. The stop element 51 can be formed as a circumferential ring or as a bolt head and forms a stop for the electrically insulating actuating section 43 in the direction against the effective direction W. The stop element 51 thus prevents the pressing element 29 from being completely removed from the pressing adapter 3.

The housing 47 also has a collar 53 which projects against the push-in direction E and opens up a passage to the chamber 19 for the contact prevention means 5. The collar 53 prevents fingers, tools or other components from entering the housing 47 and enables electrical contact to be established with one of the elements located in the housing 47.

The movable force distribution element 55 is arranged between the pressing element 29 and the receptacle 7 for the first conductor 9. The force distribution element 55 can distribute the force generated by the pressing element 29 in the effective direction W to the first conductor 9 arranged in the receiving portion 7. The force distribution element 55 is preferably as long as the body 25 of the pressing adapter 3 in the direction of the push-in direction E. In a direction transverse to the insertion direction E and transverse to the effective direction W, the force distribution element is preferably wider than the bolt diameter 39 and wider than the receptacle 7 for the first conductor 9. The force distribution element 55 projects outside the body 25 of the pressing adapter 3 along and against the push-in direction E and has its end located outside the body 25. The end 57 is preferably bent upwards against the effective direction W, so that the force distribution element 55 is engaged partially around the body 25 by means of the end 57. The force distribution element 55 is thus fixed against movement in the push-in direction E. A receiving portion 59 is provided in the pressing adapter 3 for the force distribution element 55, which receiving portion 59 has an impact surface 61 which fixes the force distribution element 55 immovably parallel to the effective direction W. The spacing 63 between the impact surfaces 61 in the effective direction W is less than the length 65 of the bent end 57 parallel to the effective direction W. The force distribution element 55 is thus held in the receptacle 59 in a positively engaging manner.

The contact-preventing means 5 has a contact groove 67 running parallel to the push-in direction E. The contact groove 67 is arranged centrally on the contact-making prevention means 5 in a cross section transverse to the insertion direction E. The contact slot 67 opens access to the interior 69 of the contact prevention device 5. The contact groove 67 extends up to the front end 71 of the contact preventing means 5. The contact groove 67 has a groove width 68 transverse to the insertion direction E. The wall thickness 70 of the contact prevention means 5 in the region of the contact groove 67 is preferably selected such that the ratio of the groove width 68 to the wall thickness 70 is approximately 1.75. The contact preventing means 5 is closed at the front end portion 71. When the contact preventing means 5 is received in the cavity 19, the contact slot 67 opens a passage from the interior 69 of the contact preventing means 5 towards the receiving portion 7 for the first conductor 9. Thus, the pressing member 29 is arranged above the contact groove 67. In a cross section transverse to the insertion direction (fig. 2), a longitudinal axis L of the pressure element 29 running parallel to the effective direction W is arranged centrally above the contact groove 67.

The contact preventing means 5 has support grooves 73 on the side 2 opposite to the contact grooves 67. The support ribs 73 are arranged complementary to the support ribs 23 of the pressing adapter 3. Due to the interaction between the support groove 73 and the support rib 23, the contact preventing means 5 can be guided when pushed into the cavity 19. At the rear end 75, the contact preventing means 5 preferably extends far enough to completely cover the conductive part of the second conductor 13. The insulation 78 of the second conductor 13 preferably protrudes into the contact preventing means 5.

The end portion 77 of the second conductor 13 is formed by the flat body 79 of the cable lug 17. The plate body 79 has an upper flat side 81 and a lower flat side 83. The upper flat side 81 is released by the contact slot 67 for contact with the first conductor 9. The lower flat side 83 is released by the support groove 73 toward the support rib 23. If the second conductor 13 with the contact preventing means 5 is received in the chamber 19, the

flat sides

81 and 83 run perpendicular to the effective direction W.

The cable tabs 17 have a crimp zone 85 behind the flat body 79. In the crimping zone 85, the cable lug 17 is surrounded by the contact prevention means 5. The second conductor 13 is thus protected from contact by the contact preventing means 5 and the cable insulation 78.

The first conductor 9 is formed by a conductor tail 15 at least in its end portion 87 which can be received in the receiving portion 7. As described above, the first conductor 9 may also have a cable lug, the end portion of which, instead of the conductor rail, may be received in the receptacle 7. The end portion 87 of the first conductor 9 is formed as a flat body 89. When the first conductor 9 is received in the receiving portion 7 in the press adapter 3, the flat side 91 of the first conductor 9 runs parallel to the effective direction W and parallel to the push-in direction E. When the two conductors are arranged in the press adapter 3, the flat side 91 of the first conductor 9 thus runs parallel to the

flat sides

81 and 83 of the second conductor 13. The flat side 91 has a spacing 92, which spacing 92 corresponds at least to the groove width 68 of the contact groove 67.

The flat body 89 of the first conductor 9 has an upper edge 93 and a lower edge 95 which run parallel to the push-in direction and form the narrow sides of the flat body 89. The lower edge 95 forms a contact element 97 for the first conductor 9. Since the contact element 97 is formed by the flat body 89, or the lower edge 95 of the end portion 87, the contact element 97 is formed integrally with the first conductor 9. In order to bring the first conductor 9 into contact with the second conductor 13, the first conductor 9 is pressed against the second conductor 13. During this, the pressing element 29 exerts a normal force acting in the effective direction W on the end portion 87 of the first conductor 9. The force is thus distributed evenly by the force distribution element 55 over the upper edge 93 of the end portion 87. The lower edge 95 of the end portion 81 forming the contact element 97 protrudes through the contact slot 67 of the contact-preventing means 5 and presses against the end portion 77 of the second conductor 13. The pressure exerted by the pressing element 29 thus ensures a frictionally engaged connection between the first conductor 9 and the second conductor 13 in the region of the contact groove 67.

The end portion 77 of the second conductor 13 is pressed by the pressing force applied by the pressing member 27 against the support rib 23. The second conductor 13 is thereby pressed between the first conductor 9 and the support rib 23, and the first conductor 9 is pressed between the force distribution element 55 and the second conductor 13. In addition to the electrical connection of the first conductor 9 and the second conductor 13 in the region of the contact groove 67, an electrical connection can thus be established with the end portion 77 of the second conductor 13 via the support rib 23. In this case, the body 25 of the pressing adapter 3 establishes an electrical connection with the first conductor 9. For example, this additional electrical connection can be transmitted to the first conductor 9 via the holding jaw 27 and/or via the pressing element 29 and/or the force distribution element 55.

For connecting the two

conductors

9 and 13, the pressing element 29 is preferably actuated such that at least one or both of the two

conductors

9 and 13 can be pushed smoothly into the respective receptacle. Only when both the first conductor 9 and the second conductor 13 are arranged such that the contact method device 5 is in the respective receiving portion or chamber 19, the pressing element 29 is activated such that a force is exerted on both

conductors

9 and 13 in the effective direction W. The pressing elements 29 are thus individually activated.

A second advantageous embodiment is described below with reference to fig. 6 to 9. For the sake of brevity, only the differences from the previously described first embodiment are mentioned.

The connector 1 has a contact preventing means 5, in which contact preventing means 5 an end portion 77 of the second conductor 13 is arranged. In contrast to the first embodiment, in the second embodiment the second conductor 13 is formed by a conductor rail 15. Alternatively, the second conductor 13 may also be formed by a cable tab. The contact prevention means has two contact grooves 67, the two contact grooves 67 being arranged adjacent to one another and parallel to one another and to the push-in direction E. The contact groove 67 is arranged opposite to the support groove 73. The contact preventing means 5 may be formed as part of a housing, a housing wall portion 99 of which is shown. The housing wall section 99 preferably extends perpendicularly to the insertion direction E.

As in the case of the first embodiment, the pressing adapter 3 of the second embodiment has a chamber 19 into which the contact-preventing means 5 can be pushed in the push-in direction E into this chamber 19.

The first conductor 9 is formed as a cable tab 17. If the second conductor 13 is also formed as a cable lug, the connector 1 can be used to connect two cable lugs to each other. In a further alternative, the first conductor 9 may also be formed by a conductor rail. The second conductor may also be a cable lug or a conductor rail. The end section 87 of the first conductor 9 has a U-shaped contour in a cross section transverse to the insertion direction E (see fig. 7). The two branches 101 of the U-shaped profile form the two flat bodies 89 of the first conductor 9, with the flat sides 91 arranged perpendicular to the

flat sides

81 and 83 of the flat body 79 of the second conductor 13. The flat body 89 runs parallel to the effective direction W and the push-in direction. The transverse branch 103 of the U-shaped profile forms a flat body which runs perpendicular to the effective direction W and parallel to the push-in direction E in some regions. The pressing element 29 can act on the transverse branch 103. The transverse branch 103 distributes the force generated by the pressing element 29 in the effective direction W over the two branches 101. The branches 101 and the transverse branches 103 may be formed from the previously flat cable tabs 17 by stamping and bending or by other forming techniques. If the first conductor 9 is formed by a conductor rail 15, the conductor rail 15 can also be formed by other suitable shaping techniques, so that two branches 101 and one transverse branch 103 are formed.

At the free limb end 105, the first conductor 9 has a lower edge 95 running parallel to the insertion direction E. The lower edge 95 forms two contact elements 97. The contact element 97 may contact the second conductor 13 by protruding through the contact slot 67. When the contact is made, the branch end 105 is arranged parallel to the effective direction W with respect to the support rib 23. Thus, the second conductor 13 can be particularly well supported, and particularly, a frictional connection can be established between the first conductor 9 and the second conductor 13.

The body 25 may be divided into two parts and has a lower contact portion 107 and an upper pressing portion 109. Alternatively, the body 25 may have a single portion. The pressing portion 109 can have a substantially U-shaped cross section transverse to the push-in direction E, wherein the end portions 111 of the limbs of the U-shaped cross section are bent towards one another. The contact portion 107 has two opposite grooves 113 which open parallel to the push-in direction E and are located on both sides transversely to the effective direction W, in which grooves 113 the branch ends 111 of the pressing portion can be received. The contact portion 107 and the pressing portion 108 can be joined together by being pushed together in the pushing-in direction E. If the two parts are pushed together, they are held against each other in the effective direction W in a positive engagement.

The pressing part 109 has an internal thread 33 for the element 29, which is formed as a bolt 31. The internal thread 33 is part of a press-in nut 115 which is arranged in a complementary opening 117 in the press-in part 109. Alternatively, the internal thread 33 may also be formed directly in the pressing portion 109.

The contact part 107 has two contact rods 119, which two contact rods 119 open the contact 7 for the first conductor 9 towards the chamber 19. The contact bar 119 makes it possible for the branch 101 of the first conductor 9 to contact the second conductor 13. In the connected state, the branch 101 protrudes through the contact rod 119 and the contact slot 67 up to the second conductor 13. The contact groove 119 is closed in and counter to the insertion direction E. When the branch 101 of the first conductor 9 is arranged in the contact rod 119, the branch 101 is held in the contact rod 119 in the push-in direction E in a positive engagement. Therefore, the conductor 9 can be fixed to prevent the conductor 9 from being pulled out against the push-in direction E.

The connector 1 preferably has a housing 47 which insulates the pressing element 3 and the first conductor 9 located in the pressing element 3 towards the outside. The housing 47 preferably extends far enough in the insertion direction E to cover the cable insulation 78 of the first conductor 9. The collar 53 projects against the push-in direction E, which collar 53 opens a passage in the cavity 19 for pushing in the contact prevention means 5 and the second conductor 13. An opening 49 in the housing allows the electrically insulating actuating portion 43 of the pressing element to be activated from outside the housing. In the case of the first embodiment, the opening 49 is preferably configured such that the electrically insulating actuating section 43 cannot penetrate completely through the opening 49 to the outside, so that the pressing element 29 is captively held on the pressing adapter 3. The housing 47 may be formed in two parts with a lower shell 121 and an upper shell 123 configured such that they may be clipped together.

The third embodiment is described below with reference to fig. 10 to 13. Only the differences from the above exemplary embodiments are described.

The third embodiment is configured to indirectly contact the first conductor 9 with the second conductor 13. By way of example only, the first conductor 9 is shown as a cable lug 17 and the second conductor 13 is shown as a conductor rail 15. As already in the case of the preceding embodiments, all combinations of cable tabs 17 and conductor rails 15 are also conceivable. The first conductor 9 is held in the receiving portion 7, which is arranged behind the chamber 19 for the contact-preventing means 5 in the push-in direction E. The first conductor 9 formed as a cable lug 17 is screwed to the body 25 of the pressing adapter 3. For this purpose, the first conductor 9 has an opening 125 in its end portion 87. The bolt 127 may protrude through the opening 125, wherein the bolt 127 may be threaded into threads 129 in the body 25. Further, a flat washer 131 may be arranged between the bolt 127 and the first conductor 9. The body 25 is formed of a conductive material such that the body 25 becomes a portion of the conductor 9. The pressing element 3 has a force distribution element 55 which can be acted on by the pressure of the pressed element 29 in the effective direction W. The force distribution element 55 has a contact rib 133 which runs parallel to the insertion direction E and projects in the effective direction W. The contact rib 133 is arranged above the contact groove 67 and can be pressed by the pressing element 29 through the contact groove 67 onto the second conductor 13. The contact rib 133 thus represents the contact element 97. The contact rib 133 may be electrically connected to the body 25 via the bolt 31 and thereby establish electrical contact between the first conductor 9 and the second conductor 13. During contact, the second conductor 13 is pressed against the support rib 23 in the region of the support rib 73, the support rib 23 being formed integrally with the body 25. Thus, an electrical contact is additionally made between the first conductor 9 and the second conductor 13 via the support rib 23.

As a result of screwing the first conductor 9 to the body 25, the first conductor 9 may have any desired form. In addition to the stated forms, such as cable tabs 17 or conductor rails 15, the first conductor 9 can also be a cable which is pressed onto the body 25 via a suitably shaped flat gasket 131. For example, the flat washer 131 may have the form of a bracket so that the multi-piece cable may also be pressed onto the body 25 by the bolt 127.

A fourth advantageous embodiment of the connector according to the invention is described with reference to fig. 14-16. This structure is initially described with reference to fig. 14. The connection of the two components or two conductors to each other will be described later with reference to fig. 15 and 16.

According to the invention, the connector 1 has a pressing adapter 3 with a receptacle 7 for a first conductor 9 and a contact prevention means 5 of the housing type with a receptacle 11 for a second conductor 13. The contact-preventing means 5 can be pushed into the chamber 19 of the pressing adapter 3 in the push-in direction E and has a contact groove 67, which contact groove 67 runs parallel to the push-in direction E and opens the passage of the interior 69 of the contact-preventing means 5 towards the outside for contact. The contact groove 67 runs with its depth direction T parallel to the push-in direction E.

The fourth embodiment is particularly advantageous if no connection is made between the end portions of the cable and/or the conductor rails, but for example on a portion of the end portion of the conductor which does not represent a conductor. This is illustrated by way of example in fig. 14 to 16 on the basis of the conductor rail 15.

The portion of the connector 1 according to the invention located on the second conductor 13 is described first. This shows, merely by way of example, that the connector 1 is for connecting a conductor rail 15 to a cable lug 17. The conductor rail 15 is surrounded at least in the region of the connector 1 by a sleeve 135, which sleeve 135 insulates the conductor rail 15 towards the outside.

A connecting piece 137 as part of the connector 1 is electrically connected to the conductor rail 15. The connection 137 serves to extend the length of the conductor rail 15 and represents the second conductor 13, which is received in the receiving portion 11 of the contact prevention device 5.

The connector 135 has a base 139 at which the connector is connected to the conductor rail 15. The connection between the base 139 and the conductor rail 15 can be realized by means of, for example, welding, screwing or pressure connection. In the case of a connection by means of a screw connection, for example, a screw (not shown) can be guided through the conductor rail 15 and screwed into an internal thread (not shown) in the connecting piece 137. The bolt head can thus bear against the conductor rail 15 on its side opposite the connecting piece 137.

The link 137 extends away from the base 139 along a longitudinal axis 140 parallel to the pushing-in direction E. The link 137 preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape. The connecting member 137 preferably has a screw shape. If it is shaped as a screw, the longitudinal axis of the screw extends parallel to the insertion direction E. The end 141 pointing away from the base 139 is accessible through the contact slot 67 and can be brought into contact with the contact element 97 of the first conductor 9. In this case, the contact groove 67 may be formed as the annular groove 143.

The connection 137 has a receptacle 145 for the pressing element 29. The receiving portion 145 extends into the connecting piece 137 parallel to the longitudinal axis 140. The receiving portion 145 is preferably formed as a blind hole 146, the open end of which points in the push-in direction E. The receiving portion 145 is preferably closed in the direction of the base 139. The receptacle 145 is preferably arranged centrally in the connecting piece 137, so that it runs coaxially with the longitudinal axis 140 of the connecting piece 137.

Alternatively, the receiving portion 145 may also extend continuously through the connecting piece 137, i.e. also through its base 139, so that an opening (not shown) on the base 139 may be used for connecting the connecting piece 137 to the conductor rail 15.

The receiving portion 145 preferably has an internal thread 147, into which internal thread 147 a pressing element 29 formed as a bolt 31 can be screwed. If, as mentioned above, as an alternative, the receiving portion 145 is formed as a through-going rather than a blind hole, the internal thread 147 can extend as far as the opening in the base portion, so that a bolt (not shown) can be guided through the conductor rail 15 and can be screwed to the internal thread in the base portion 139.

A region 148 can be arranged at the end 141 pointing away from the base 139, in which region 148 the diameter 149 of the receiving portion 145 is greater than the diameter 151 of the receiving portion 145 in the region of the internal thread 147. This area 148 may be used to receive a cannula.

The sleeve may define a contact slot 67 towards the receiving portion 145. The longitudinal direction of the sleeve preferably runs coaxially with the longitudinal axis 140 of the connecting piece 137. The sleeve is preferably captively retained in the receptacle 145. For example, the sleeve may be pressed or glued into the receiving portion 145. It is particularly advantageous if the sleeve and/or the connecting piece 137 have latching means in the region 148 which engage into one another in order to hold the sleeve in the receptacle 145. The latching means 155 are only schematically shown in fig. 14. For example, the connecting element 137 can have at least one undercut 157 in the region 148 on the inner wall of the receptacle 145, into which undercut 157 at least one latching hook 159 of the sleeve can latch. The undercut 157 may be formed, for example, as a recess or groove running around the inner wall of the receptacle 145.

On the side of the contact groove 67 opposite the sleeve, the contact groove 67 is delimited by the outer wall of the contact preventing means 5. The outer wall preferably runs cylindrically around the connecting piece 137 and is arranged coaxially with the longitudinal axis 140 of the connecting piece 137. The outer wall preferably projects into the recess 163 in the sleeve 135 in the region of the base 139 of the connection 137 in order to ensure continuous insulation around the conductor rail 15 and around the connection 137.

At least in the region of the base 139, the outer wall can bear directly against the connecting piece 137. The outer wall is preferably retained in this region on the connecting piece 137. For example, the outer wall may also be pressed onto the connecting piece 137. However, the outer wall is preferably latched to the link 137. For example, latching elements which can engage into one another can be arranged on the connecting piece 137 and on the outer wall in the region of the base 139 in order to hold the outer wall to the connecting piece 137. For example, the connecting piece 137 can have a recess 165 in the region of the base 139 and the outer wall can have a latching projection 167. Both elements are shown in fig. 14. The recess 165 may also be formed as a circumferential groove in the connector 135.

It is also conceivable for the connecting piece 137 to have a circumferential groove (not shown) in the region of the base 139, into which a sealing element (not shown) can be inserted to seal the region between the connecting piece 137 and the outer wall. Alternatively, a groove may also be formed in the outer wall, or a sealing element may be arranged between the outer wall and the connection 137, both elements having a groove or neither.

A guide groove 169 configured to receive the housing portion 171 of the pressing adapter 3 is provided between the connecting piece 137 and the outer wall. The guide slot 169 preferably travels around and is coaxial with the link 137. The guide groove 169 preferably forms a transition into the contact groove 67 in the region of the end 141 of the connecting piece 137 opposite the base 139. In order to obtain a seal between the connecting piece 137 and the housing part 171 arranged in the guide groove 169, the connecting piece 137 preferably has at least one groove 173 which runs around the outside of the connecting piece and into which a sealing element 175, preferably a sealing ring, is inserted.

In the illustrated embodiment, the contact groove 67, the connecting piece 137, the outer wall and the housing portion 171 are shown as having a circular cross-section or as having a cylindrical shape. Due to this configuration, the pressing adapter 3 can be connected to the contact preventing means 5 and the connecting piece 137 in any desired arrangement about the longitudinal axis 140.

However, the connector 1 may have protection against mis-mating (not shown) if at least one component position or alignment is to be defined. This can be achieved particularly easily by the connecting piece 137 having a cross section which differs from the circular shape at least one point. For example, the link 137 may be flat on at least one side, with the flat section running parallel to the longitudinal axis 140. The housing parts 171 can then be shaped in a complementary manner such that they can be connected into the contact preventing device 5 in as aligned a manner as possible, such that the complementary parts fit into each other.

Both the outer wall and the sleeve preferably project far enough in the push-in direction E beyond the end 141 of the connecting piece 137 forming the effective contact prevention portion 5 to prevent contact with the connecting piece 137. The outer wall projects beyond the end 141 by a height 177, and this height 177 simultaneously represents a greater depth of the contact groove 67, which height must in this case be chosen as a function of the groove width 68, which is defined by the spacing between the sleeve and the outer wall, and vice versa. Here, the groove depth 68 and height 177 are selected to be at least large enough that a finger or VDE test finger still cannot reach the end 141 of the connector 137.

The sleeve and the outer wall may end flush with each other in the push-in direction E, but this is not absolutely essential. For example, the outer wall may project beyond the sleeve in the push-in direction E to protect the sleeve from damage. Alternatively, the sleeve may extend further in the push-in direction E than the outer wall to ensure that the pressing element 29 is captured as soon as possible during the connection of the two conductors to each other.

The outer wall may have latching elements (not shown) which may be connected to complementarily configured latching elements of the housing portion 171 of the push adapter 3. In this way, in the pre-assembly position, the housing portion 171 may be retained in the outer wall, which may facilitate operation of the connector 1.

The housing part 171 extends opposite the insertion direction out of the chamber 19 of the pressing adapter 3. The contact preventing means 5 can be pushed into the chamber 19. In the assembled state, the outer wall is arranged to run around the housing part 171 and the sleeve is arranged inside the housing part 171. The housing portion 171 is preferably formed substantially as a cylindrical wall and runs coaxially with the longitudinal axis L of the pressing adapter 29. In the assembled state, as shown in fig. 15 and 16, the longitudinal axis L of the pressing adapter 29 and the longitudinal axis 140 of the connecting piece 137 are identical.

The pressing adapter 3 has a contact element 97 which, in the connected state to the first conductor 9, can be connected to the first conductor 9 and represents the elongation thereof. The contact element 97 may be formed in the form of a ring and may be coaxially arranged to the pressing adapter 29. This means that the longitudinal axis L of the pressing adapter 29 simultaneously forms the axis of the ring.

The contact element 97 may be fixedly connected to a first conductor 9, for example indicated as cable tab 17. The connection may be formed, for example, by pressing, screwing or welding. In the illustrated embodiment, the contact element 97 is pressed into a recess 181 in the cable tab 17 by the connection portion 179. Alternatively, the contact element 97 can also be held movably but captured in the pressing adapter 3. For this purpose, the housing part 171 can, for example, have a resiliently deflectable latching element pointing towards the pressing adapter 29 and allowing the contact element 97 to be inserted into the pressing adapter 3, but effectively preventing the contact element 97 from falling out of the pressing element 3.

The receptacle 7 for the first conductor 9 or the cable lug 17 extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis L such that the cable lug 17 intersects the longitudinal axis L of the pressing adapter 29 by its end portion 87.

The pressing adapter 29 is formed as a bolt 31 and penetrates through the contact element 97 parallel to its longitudinal axis L. The bolt head 35 is arranged on the side of the contact element 97 facing away from the housing part 171. The bolt head 35 is connected to the electrically insulating actuating portion 43 so that the bolt can be actuated or rotated without the need for a tool to make electrical contact with the bolt 31. The actuation portion 43 preferably has the shape of a cylindrical outer surface on its outer side 183. The housing 47 of the pressing adapter 3 is formed as a hollow cylinder at least in the region 185 surrounding the actuating section 43, so that the actuating section 43 bears with its outer side 183 against the housing 47. In this way, the actuating element 29 can be guided on the pressing element 3 and fixed so as not to tilt transversely to the housing part 171. The bolt head 35 is preferably fixedly connected to the actuating portion 43. This may be implemented, for example, as two parts being glued together. However, the material of the actuating portion 43 is preferably injection molded or sealed around the bolt head 35.

The bolt head 35 can be configured such that it can press the contact element 97 directly against the connecting piece 137. Alternatively, the contact element 97 may also be arranged only on the side of the cable lug 17 opposite the bolt head 35, so that the bolt head 35 can act indirectly on the contact element 97 via the cable lug 17.

In the embodiment shown, the bolt head 35 is dimensioned such that it can act directly on the contact element 97 and on a portion of the cable lug 17 by pressure. Thus, on the one hand, a good connection between the contact element 97 and the connection 137 can be ensured, and on the other hand, the cable tab 17 can be pressed against the contact element 97, which can improve the reliability of the connection, since this prevents a release of the connection between the contact element 97 and the cable tab 17.

The actuating portion 43 preferably has at least one circumferential groove 187 and a sealing element 189 received in the groove 187 such that a seal is formed between the actuating portion 43 and the housing 47 in the area 185.

A latching element may be mounted on the outside 183 of the actuating portion 43 and in the region 185 of the housing 47, which latching element may prevent the actuating portion 43 and the bolt 31 connected to the actuating portion 43 from falling out.

On the side of the bolt 31 opposite the head 35, the bolt 31 has a threaded portion 191, by means of which threaded portion 191 the bolt 31 can be screwed into the internal thread 147 of the receiving portion 145. On the end 193 of the bolt 31 opposite the bolt head 35, the bolt 31 has an insulated tip 195. The insulated tip 195 is formed of a non-conductive material and is captively held on the bolt 31. The tip 195 preferably does not protrude beyond the free end 197 of the housing portion 171. In this way, the contact preventing means may be formed on the first conductor 9 by the tip 195 and the housing portion 171. In this case, the spacing 199 between the tip 195 and the housing portion 171 is selected such that a finger cannot penetrate far enough into the area between the bolt 31 and the housing portion 171 for the conductive portion of the bolt 31 to be touched. For this purpose, the aforementioned fixed connection of the bolt head 35 to the electrically insulating actuating part 43 and its guidance in the region 185 of the housing 47 are particularly advantageous, since, owing to these features, the bolt 31 can be prevented from deflecting or tilting under the pressure acting on the bolt 31 at its end 193 transversely to the longitudinal axis L of the bolt 31 so that the spacing 199 between the end 195 and the housing part 171 becomes larger.

The connector 1 preferably has a sealing element 201 which surrounds the cable insulation 78 of the first conductor 9 and thereby seals the housing 47 in the region in which the conductor 9 is guided out of the housing 47. Together with the sealing element 189 between the electrically insulating actuating part and the housing 47, the housing 47 is thus still open towards the outside only in the region of the chamber 19. In this case, the electrically conductive portion, such as the bolt 31, the contact element 97 and the end portion 87 are preferably accessible only through the area surrounded by the housing portion 171.

The housing 47 also has a receiving groove 203, which receiving groove 203 runs around the housing part 171 for receiving the outer wall of the contact preventing means 5, but the base 205 of the receiving groove 203 is closed, so that the conductive part of the press adapter 3 is not accessible from the receiving groove 203. If the contact preventing means 5 is received in the cavity 19 at the connection 137, the interior of the pressing adapter 3 or the electrically conductive element arranged in the pressing adapter 3 may be sealed towards the outside.

The assembly of the pressing adapter 3 and the contact preventing means 5 and the connection of the two

conductors

9 and 13 is briefly described below with reference to fig. 15 and 16. For the sake of clarity, only the reference numerals that are absolutely important for understanding are included in fig. 15 and 16. A detailed assignment of reference numerals is shown with reference to fig. 14.

For the connection, the contact-preventing means 5 is initially pushed into the chamber 19 in the push-in direction E. Here, the outer wall penetrates into the receiving groove 203, the housing portion 171 penetrates into the guide groove 169, and the bolt 31 penetrates into the receiving portion 145. The contact element 97 penetrates through the contact slot 67 and bears against the end 141 of the connecting piece 137. The free end of the sleeve penetrates into the receiving region 207 of the contact element 97. The receiving region 207 is arranged between the bolt 31 and the rest of the contact element 97. The bolt 31 is initially received with the threaded portion 191 in the sleeve. When the contact preventing means 5 is pushed into the chamber 19, the bolt 31 is displaced in the push-in direction E, so that the electrically insulating actuating portion 43 can project out of the region 185 of the housing 47. For the final connection, the pressing element 29 can be actuated, wherein the bolt 31 is screwed into the receptacle 145. For this purpose, a tool formed in a complementary manner to the electrically insulating actuating portion 43 can be used.

In the connected state, as shown in fig. 16, the electrically insulating actuating portion 43 is preferably arranged countersunk in the housing 47. The contact element 97 can be pressed against the connection 137 by the pressing element 29. Thus, an electrically conductive connection is established between the first conductor 9 and the second conductor 13. The electrically conductive parts of the connector 1, in particular the connecting piece 137, the bolt 31, the contact element 97 and the cable tab 17, are sealed from the outside by the sealing

elements

175, 189 and 201 and by the connection between the outer wall and the base 139.

Reference numerals

1 connector

3 pressing adapter

5 contact prevention device

7 receiving part for a first conductor

9 first conductor

11 receiving part for a second conductor

13 second conductor

15 conductor rail

17 Cable lug

19 chamber

21 opposite to the receiving portion for the first conductor

23 support rib

25 pressing the body of the adapter

27 holding jaw

29 pressing element

31 bolt

33 internal thread

35 bolt head

37 bolt head diameter

39 bolt diameter

41 actuating part

43 electrically insulating the actuating part

45 insulating cap

47 casing

49 opening

51 stop element

53 axle ring

55 force distribution element

57 end portion

59 receiving part

61 impact surface

63 interval between impact surfaces

Length of 65 ends

67 contact groove

68 groove width

69 inside of the contact preventing means

70 wall thickness

71 front end portion

73 support groove

75 rear end part

77 end portion of the second conductor

78 Cable insulation

79 flat body of second conductor

Upper flat side of 81

83 lower flat side

85 crimping area

87 end portion of first conductor

89 planar body of first conductor

91 flat side of first conductor

92 flat side space

93 upper edge

95 lower edge

97 contact element

99 housing wall section

101 branch part

103 lateral branch part

105 branch end

107 contact part

109 pressing part

111 end of branch part

113 groove

115 press-in nut

117 complementary openings

119 contact rod

121 lower outer casing

123 upper outer casing

125 opening

127 bolt

129 screw thread

131 flat gasket

133 contact Rib

135 casing pipe

137 connecting piece

139 base of connector

140 longitudinal axis of the connector

141 connector end directed away from the base

143 annular groove

145 receiving portion for pressing member

146 Blind hole

147 internal thread

148 area of the receiving part

149 diameter

151 diameter

155 latching device

157 undercut

159 latching hook

163 recess

165 recess

167 latch tab

169 guide groove

171 housing part

173 groove

175 sealing element

177 height

179 connecting part

181 recess in cable tab

183 exterior of the actuating portion

185 area of the housing

187 grooves of the actuating portion

189 sealing element

191 a threaded portion

193 end portion

195 insulating tip

197 free end of the housing part

199 space

201 sealing element

203 receiving groove

205 receiving the base of the slot

207 receiving area

E push-in direction

L longitudinal axis

T depth direction

Effective direction of W

Claims

1. Connector (1) for connecting a first conductor (9) to a second conductor (13), having a pressing adapter (3) with a receptacle (7) for the first conductor (9) and at least one pressing element (29) which can be actuated from outside, further having a housing-type contact prevention device (5) with a receptacle (11) for the second conductor (13), wherein the contact prevention device (5) can be pushed into a chamber (19) of the pressing adapter (3) in a push-in direction (E) and has at least one contact groove (67) which runs parallel to the push-in direction (E) and opens up a passage to an interior (69) of the contact prevention device (5) for establishing contact towards the outside, and wherein the one or more of the one,

the contact prevention device (5) has at least one support groove (73), the pressing adapter (3) has at least one support rib (23) which projects into the cavity (19), the at least one support groove (73) is formed in a complementary manner to the at least one support rib (23), and the at least one support rib (23) is electrically connected to the first conductor (9) by means of the pressing adapter (3).

2. Connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pressing element (29) is captively held on the pressing adapter (3).

3. Connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, having a movable force distribution element (55) on which the pressing element (29) acts.

4. Connector (1) according to claim 3, wherein the movable force distribution element (55) is captively held on the pressing element (29) and/or on the pressing adapter (3).

5. Connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one pressing element (29) has an actuating portion (43) for actuation of the pressing element (29), which is electrically insulated from the rest of the pressing element (29).

6. Connector (1) according to claim 5, having a housing (47) electrically insulated at least from the pressing adapter (29), wherein the electrically insulated actuating portion (43) of the at least one pressing element (29) is accessible from the outside.

7. Connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the contact prevention means (5) is closed at a front end (71) pointing in the push-in direction (E).

8. Connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, having a first conductor (9) received in the receiving portion (7) of the pressing adapter (3) and a second conductor (13) received in the receiving portion (11) of the contact prevention device (5), wherein the first conductor (9) is formed by a conductor rail (15) at least in an end portion (87) arranged in the receiving portion (7) of the pressing adapter and the second conductor (13) is formed by a cable tab (17) at least in an end portion (77) arranged in the receiving portion (11) of the contact prevention device (5) or vice versa.

9. Connector (1) according to claim 8, wherein at least one contact element (97) connected to the first conductor (9) is held in frictional engagement on the second conductor (13) in the at least one contact groove (67) by the at least one pressing element (29) when the contact preventing means (5) is pushed into the chamber (19).

10. Connector (1) according to claim 8, wherein the first conductor (9) has an end portion (87) having a U-shaped profile in a cross-section transverse to the push-in direction (E), and wherein a branch (101) of the U-shaped profile can be pressed under the action of the pressing element (29) through at least two contact slots (67) and onto the second conductor (13).

11. Connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, having a conductive connection (137) which can be fastened to the second conductor (13), and at least in some areas surrounded by an outer wall of the housing-type contact prevention means (5), and the electrically conductive connection has a receptacle (145) for the pressing element (29), which receptacle is formed in a complementary manner to the pressing element (29), wherein the pressing element (29) is inserted into the receptacle (145) parallel to the push-in direction (E), wherein the contact groove (67) runs at least in some areas around the receptacle (145) for the pressing element (29), and wherein the depth direction (T) of the contact groove (67) runs parallel to the push-in direction (E).

12. Connector (1) according to claim 11, wherein the contact groove (67) is definable by a sleeve from a receptacle (145) for the pressing element (29), which sleeve can be inserted into the connection piece (137) and can be penetrated by the pressing element (29) in the push-in direction (E).

13. Connector (1) according to claim 11, wherein a guide slot (169) running concentrically around the connection piece (137) and configured to receive a housing portion (171) of the pressing adapter (3) is connected between the connection piece (137) and an outer wall of the housing-type contact prevention means (5).

14. Connector (1) according to claim 11, having a contact element (97) which can be connected to the first conductor (9) and is configured complementary to the contact groove (67) and can be pressed against the connection (137) by means of the pressing element (29) through the contact groove (67).

15. Connector (1) according to claim 14, wherein the contact element (97) is sleeve-shaped and is pierced in the push-in direction (E) by the pressing element (29).